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‘And here’s the running order...’
‘Okay.’ He had the grace to deliver a sheepish grin as he stuffed the paper in his pocket without even looking at it.
‘We’ll start over there, with an introduction...’
‘Yeah. Would you mind giving me a minute...?’ Leo got to his feet, making in the opposite direction.
‘Is he always like that?’ Alex heard Rhona’s voice behind her, and the sound engineer nodded.
‘Yeah. We give him a list, he ignores it and we end up following him around, not sure what he’s going to do next.’
‘And that makes good radio?’ Alex couldn’t help but ask.
‘Yeah. It makes great radio. That’s why he gets away with murder, and no one ever complains.’ The sound engineer shrugged, walking back over to his colleague.
‘Going to go try keeping him under control, then? Just for the sake of appearances.’ Rhona nodded at Leo’s retreating back.
‘Suppose so.’ Alex got to her feet, walking over towards Leo.
* * *
Everyone had been persuaded to sit down, despite the air of excitement running around the auditorium. The place was packed, the usual parents and families joined by people who’d heard about the meeting from the radio. Leo handed Alex the microphone, showing her how to mute it, and when she spoke into it her voice sounded disconcertingly through the speakers that the sound engineers had set up.
‘You do it...’ She covered the microphone with her hand and feedback squealed through the speakers.
‘Too busy.’ He shot her his melting grin and left her to it. Alex took a deep breath and haltingly started to thank everyone for coming. A roar of applause greeted her mention of Evangeline and Arielle, and then another for Leo.
‘And, on behalf of the young people who are competing today, I’d like to welcome you all. Please show them how much you’re looking forward to this afternoon...’ She was almost breathless, carried away by the noise and determined that the kids should have the biggest round of applause.
Evangeline and Arielle were both on their feet and Leo suddenly reappeared from whatever he’d been busy with, arms held above his head, clapping. Alex could almost feel the din of cheering and clapping vibrating through the air, and when she looked over towards the group of competitors waiting by the starting line their faces were shining.
They’d done it. Together, they’d made this moment. All the hard months of training, raising the money they’d needed, the teaching and the encouragement, had been down to her. But Leo had taken all that and given the kids something to remember.
She thrust the microphone back into his hand and hurried to her seat by the side of the track. Alex didn’t want him to see that this thing, the huge, roaring wave of response that they’d created between them, had brought her close to tears. And she didn’t want to think about all the other things that they might achieve together, because Leo wouldn’t be here for long.
The races started. Personal bests were shattered as the crowd cheered all the competitors on. Alex kept herself busy by the track side, making sure that everyone was warmed up and ready for their races. It was a difficult line to walk, encouraging everyone to do their best but reminding them not to get carried away and injure themselves in the process, and she made sure that she spoke to each of the young athletes before their races.
Then the first interval. Leo was still at the side of the track, a group of competitors gathered around him. Little Sam, the boy whose photograph she’d thrust in front of him when they’d met at the hotel, was hovering on the edge of the crowd, watching silently.
He caught sight of him and leaned over towards him. ‘What’s your name...?’ Leo bent down as everyone made way for Sam to get closer.
‘Sam.’
‘Hi, Sam. And what will you be doing today?’
Sam eyed him thoughtfully. Alex knew he was a child of few words and massive determination. ‘Running.’
‘Sounds good.’ Leo rose to the challenge, clearly not about to give up just yet. ‘And are you taking part in any of the events?’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, good luck. Let’s hear a round of applause for Sam...’
Leo was working his way around everyone, and the spectators quickly got the idea of what was expected of them. Each child got a round of applause before Leo went on to the next.
‘Thanks, Hayley.’ He turned to the second of the two girls who stood clutching each other’s hands, and Alice spoke up immediately.
